Antonia E. McBride, assistant editor
Articles
The changing environment of discrete sensors
We've all experienced some sort of change within our lives that render us to question, why weren't things that way in the first place. Change, inevitably, is a part of life that helps you realize growth has occurred, for nothing is static. That idea rings true for various characteristics of discrete sensors.
Thinking outside the box about the future of I/O systems
Trends in I/O Devices Ethernet as a fieldbus Flexibility Integration of safety components Thinking outside the box has become a metaphor for daily life. Whether it's providing creative answers to everyday problems or placing a new emphasis on various areas of a plant floor, thinking outside the box sets new ideas in motion.
Power supply offers compact design, increased current capability
Weidmuller, Inc. has expanded its connectPower family of power supplies, adding the CP-SNT 160 W switchmode power supply. The 6.5 A unit offers load-sharing capabilities and a compact design. With its slim design, the CP-SNT 160 W occupies 57 mm of DIN-rail space to facilitate its use in applications where space is limited.
Compact safety relays
Phoenix Contact Inc.
When smaller, faster, and less expensive are not the final answers
In this space throughout the year, Control Engineering has covered PLCs, terminal blocks, board level products, test and measurement equipment, servo motors, control valves, and other products. Looking back, one theme is dominant: everyone wants smaller, faster, easier, less expensive components to get the job done.
Wish list for future central processing units
Ask a simple question and get a simple answer, right? That wasn't the case when Control Engineering polled readers on features they desired in a computer board. One question generated over 20 replies that included consistent, reliable operating systems, higher upgrade flexibility, scalable parallel processor, easy assembly, standardized structures, equipment and design support, small foo...
Devices operate ‘standalone,’ have enhanced displays
Cellular phones, laptops, and palm pilots, oh my. If Dorothy Gale's family had access to test and measurement equipment to detect that legendary tornado, "The Wizard of Oz" story line would have been significantly different. Dorothy was instructed to "Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City where you will find The Wizard.
Do the locomotion of motors
"Come on, do the locomotion, I know you'll get to like it if you give it a chance. Do the locomotion, a chugga-chugga motion like a railroad train." -Grand Funk RailroadMotors, of various types, have provided profound changes in everyday life for over a century. Throughout recent years, however, they have undergone changes to more efficiently and effectively complete tasks in less time.
Increased standardization is in control valves’ future
'Control valves are devices with movable, variable, and controlled internal elements for modulating fluid flow in a conduit." (See CE, March 1997, Back to Basics: "Control Valves—Sizing, Design, Characteristics," p. 116.)Most people may agree with the definition of a control valve, yet there is renewed interest in European Mandatory Directives surrounding control valve terminology.
Changing sounds of DAC hardware
Since its inception during the 1500's, the violin has undergone very little change. Strings and bow still work together to perform vital functions that allow a musician to keep the instrument strumming in tune. Like the strings of a violin, data acquisition (DAC) hardware devices perform vital functions in many industries.